Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Responding to a letter from a Swiss catechist, Pope Leo XIV wrote that “hours dedicated to catechesis are never wasted, even if there are very few participants.”

“The problem is not the numbers—which, of course, make one reflect—but the increasingly evident lack of awareness in feeling part of the Church, that is, of being living members of the Body of Christ, all with unique gifts and roles, and not merely users of the sacred, of the sacraments, perhaps out of mere habit,” Pope Leo continued.

The exchange was published in Piazza San Pietro, a magazine published under the Vatican basilica’s auspices. Pope Leo has continued his predecessor’s custom of answering one letter in each issue.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said that protests in Iran manifest the “desire [for] life, dignity, and justice” that is “inside the heart of any human being.”

Speaking with Vatican News, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed hope that the situation “will not conclude in more violence and bloodshed.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa also discussed the continued humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the far “more serene” situation of the Church in Jordan, where the Latin Patriarchate oversees 30 schools. Describing the Holy Land as “a fifth Gospel” and “a kind of eighth sacrament,” the cardinal said it is “absolutely safe” for pilgrims to return.

The bishops of the Central African Republic condemned corruption, nepotism, abuse of power following a presidential election that was marked by allegations of fraud.

Stating that “a political opponent is not an enemy,” the bishops said that “no true progress can be achieved” without credible, transparent institutions.

The nation of 5.8 million (map) is 75% Christian (45% Catholic), 14% Muslim, and 10% ethnic religionist.

The Venezuelan bishops’ Commission for Education published a “heartfelt letter of hope to each teacher, each student, [and] each family” associated with the nation’s education system.

In the message, dated January 9 and released January 12, Bishop Carlos Curiel Herrera of Carora, the president of the commission, called on schools to be an “oasis of life, where the Gospel values ​​that inspire Christian humanism are the starting point.”

The prelate said that now is the time “to discern the will of God, to plead for harmony and peace in Venezuela, and to renew our commitment to maintaining our schools as secure spaces for the construction of citizenship, democracy, justice and of peace.”

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The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Felix of Nola (d. 255), priest. After his father‘s death, Felix sold off most of his property and possessions, gave the proceeds to the poor, and pursued his vocation as a priest. He was ordained by, and worked with Saint Maximus of Nola. During the persecution of the Emperor Decius, Felix was arrested and beaten for his faith, but was freed by an angel, and managed to hide with St. Maximus until the end of the persecution in 251. Although chosen as bishop of Nola, he declined the position and worked as a farmer the rest of his days, sharing his profits with those poorer than himself. The letters and poetry of Saint Paulinus of Nola is where we have most of the information regarding St. Felix.

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